backyard bible club

In my last post I shared that the last two weeks had been very special, blessing filled weeks. The first of the two weeks included a Backyard Bible Club that some amazing ladies from church helped me hold in our backyard. The purpose of a BBC instead of the typical VBS is to reach a small group of kids on a more personal level closer to their environment. We invited our children from church and children from the neighborhood. We held it three nights (three of the hottest nights of the summer) and had music, stories, small group prayer, snacks, crafts and games. The focus was God Gives Us Friends and went into Jesus being the best friend we can have and he helps/teaches us to be the best friends to others as well. We sweated a bucket and were blessed infinitely more. I loved loved loved seeing the love of God poured onto these kids from my friends and sisters (and a couple brothers) in Christ. I pray the children received even 1/10th of the blessing that I did. We made some great relationships with children in our neighborhood and closer relationships with friends from church as well.

the hat

Hi! We have had a crazy, busy, awesome, blessing filled past two weeks and I can't wait to share it all. First I have to upload all my pictures :) Until then here is a picture of Connor wearing a hat my dad let him take home while we were visiting my family. I'm not sure why Connor wanted it except that fact that it's Papa's and Papa makes everything fun. He has worn this thing to bed, swimming, shopping, hiking, etc. Crazy cute kid!

dragon training

Micah's current favorite movie is How To Train Your Dragon. He was given the toy for his birthday but we'd never seen the movie until it happened to be at the library. He has probably watched it over 10 times in the two weeks! Dragon training is his current favorite game as well. Here he is dressed up in his training attire....fierce ;)

landmark park

After the Army Aviation Museum we headed to Dothan to go to Landmark Park. My siblings and I loved going there as kids and our kids seemed to have just as much fun. It was overcast and drizzling on and off so it was not crowded at all. We walked the boardwalk first then headed to the discovery center where Connor held every horn, rock, shell and skull in the place! They also have some historical buildings to look in and a farm area. The kids ran and talked and really enjoyed themselves :)

spider and babies on the boardwalk

discovery center

random cousin hugs

Keelie and Connor

the church

the schoolhouse

general store

drug store

walking to the 'farm'

running through the fields

planes and helicopters

Friday morning we (almost) all went to the Army Aviation Museum on Fort Rucker. I had been there numerous times growing up but Zach had never been and neither had the boys or my nieces. I can't speak for the two girls who seemed to be having a great time, but my 3 boys LOVED IT!! They stared and oooohhhed and ahhhhhhed and climbed and pointed and ate up all the machinery. There were airplanes and helicopters from all different time frames and wars along with uniforms, equipment and training simulators. When we walked in the gentleman at the front desk gave each of the kids a helicopter pin and at the end each kid purchased 'helicopter' flyers at the gift shop and practiced outside. This might end up being a traditional trip everytime we visit my parents :)

bonus beach trip

Zach, the boys and I went to Enterprise for a mini vacation this past week/weekend. We had a great time with the family. One night everyone else was busy with some VBS stuff so the four of us snuck away to the beach for a few hours. (I grew up an hour and a half from gorgeous white sand beaches...sigh...I miss them) After nap we headed down and spend about two hours in the late afternoon/early evening soaking in as much beach as possible. The boys ran constantly in and out of the water and up and down the beach. We built some castle, saw some sand crabs and jumped some waves. The weather was overcast and breezy which was actually kind of perfect because it wasn't hot AT ALL. After beach time we went to Bayou Bill's Crab House for dinner so that Micah could FINALLY try some crab. In Savannah he just watched Zach eat it and has been asking to go back ever since so he can get a taste. Those boys PIGGED out on crab legs, fried fish, and some of my fried crab claws. Connor even ate raw oysters with Zach. Thankfully I had Micah on my side with the 'those are gross' comments :) It was a great time and totally worth the whirlwind trip!!

father son convo

Took this picture yesterday of Zach and Micah talking outside. Seriously cute!

bye bye toothie

Before

After

Micah lost his first tooth today. After his follow up appointment to check out his lip the pediatrician notices a gum infection and told us to see a dentist as soon as we could. A 5 minute trip to the dentist yesterday included 1 xray and the news that the bone structure around his tooth had been pushed up when he fell and the blood vessel to the tooth had been broken. Basically the tooth was getting no oxygen and no support and it was going to die. I did not take the news well. Stitches that heal back to normal was fine but changing my sweet boys smile before normal had me teary eyed.

We went at 8 this morning to have it pulled. I couldn't stay in the room because nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is dangerous for expectant mothers. That left Zach, HATER of all things dentist and teeth, on his own. 20 minutes later they had both survived and the tooth was out. We took Micah to Target to let him pick out a prize. He wanted to put his tooth under his pillow as soon as we got home but we informed that the tooth fairy only comes at night so he's trying to be patient. His reaction has been great so far. Apparently the ability to put your tongue into a hole in your teeth is well worth the drama!